“The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announced that the USA offered Ukraine security guarantees for 15 years with the possibility of extension.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Zelensky Photo: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images Source: interview of Zelensky “Axios”, “Interfax-Ukraine”
Details: The President announced that is ready to submit US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war to a nationwide referendum if the Russian Federation agrees to a ceasefire for at least 60 days.
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Zelensky believes that “a 60-day ceasefire for the organization and holding of the vote” is the minimum, because the holding of such a referendum will have significant political, logistical and security complications.
A high-ranking US official told “Axios” that the Russians understand the need for a ceasefire if Zelensky announces a referendum, but they want a shorter term.
He added that he would still like to negotiate a better position on the territory.
But, if the plan requires a “very difficult” decision on this issue, Zelenskyi believes that the best way would be to put the entire 20-point plan to a referendum.
The president also noted that if people do not come to vote due to security issues, the result of the referendum may be illegitimate.
Zelensky’s direct speech: “It is better not to hold a referendum at all than to hold a referendum in which people will not have the opportunity to come and vote.”
Details: Zelensky also said that it is not yet clear to him whether the Russian Federation is ready to agree to Trump’s plan at all: “I have some intelligence… but now I am at the stage where I want to believe only the words of the leaders.”
According to the president, most aspects of bilateral agreements between the US and Ukraine have already been determined, although there are some “technical things” for further discussion.
According to Axios, one of them is the duration of the agreement, the US has proposed a 15-year pact that can be renewed, although Zelensky believes that Ukraine needs more than 15 years.
What preceded:
Edition Kyiv Post with reference to an unnamed source reported that withthe meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyi may take place on Sunday, December 28.